Journey into the Lives of Women, One Story at a Time

My Seventy Book Latest and Greatest Giveaway

My best novels happen when ideas collide. Take two seemingly unrelated but interesting situations, then watch them tango warily around each other until suddenly they’re dancing cheek to cheek, and the plot for a book has begun to form.

Today, as I was handling papers and packing books for my move to somewhere this week, the same thing occurred. As I filed the book list my assistant had made for me, I decided to count the books I’ve written. I discovered that One Mountain Away will be book number70!

What a great way to inaugurate a new series. My 70th novel. If you’re tuning in a bit late, then you need to know that a number of those books were series romances, shorter than the single title women’s fiction I write now. Some were even novellas, of the 25,000 word variety. Some were cozy mysteries, again a bit shorter.

But 70 books is still a cause for celebration.

As I packed up what books are left in my study and wondered why I still had so many, I pondered exactly how I should celebrate this milestone. Then, of course, it hit me.

I should give away 70 of my backlist novels as a thank-you to all the readers who have through the years supported me, as well as to introduce newer readers to my older books.

I should give away the books beginning in July, leading up to the publication of number 70 itself, One Mountain Away.

See what I mean about good ideas?

So, today I’m announcing my latest and greatest book giveaway.

Beginning Monday, July 2, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday through August 2nd I will give away a package of 5 books. That’s fourteen packages of 5 books each to fourteen lucky winners. Each package will contain two of my “longer” series romances, two of my single title women’s fiction novels, and one novella in an anthology with other authors. Some of the books have been on my shelves for years, but they were all my author copies and never sold or read.

All books will be signed and one in each envelope will be personalized to the winner. Add it all up? 70 books total.

How do you enter?

Comment on ANY blog here at Southern Exposure beginning today and tell us at least one reason you read my books or WANT to read my books. One full sentence or more, please.

I will log only one original entry per reader, although you can comment as frequently as you like.

Your opportunity to comment extends from today through midnight July 31, but remember you can comment on ANY Southern Exposure blog during that time. Just be sure your comment explains why you read my books or want to. Other types of comments are always welcome, but won’t be considered entries.

When notified by email that you’ve won, you must provide me with an address within ten days, or another winner will be chosen to replace you.

Only one win per reader. That means fourteen unique winners.

North American addresses only this time.

Simple, simple. And I’ll remind you to comment on every blog between now and then.

By the way, this will be my final blog from Virginia, and I’ll be on hiatus for a little while as we settle for the summer in Western New York. But I’ll be back soon, relaxed and eager. You can count on it.

118 Comments

I read your books because I love the way you write. I love your characters. I also live in Virginia and am sad to hear you’re leaving us. If you happen to be traveling down (or up) I-95 through Richmond, please wave.

I have read three of your Shenandoah Valley Album novels (especially for the quilty connections) and I’d love to read more of your books, just because I love your writing style and the characters you create

I love all of your books that I’ve read. The Shenandoah Quilt series and would love to have more! As I live in Cleveland, Whiskey Island was a great read, made me learn some more history of the city I live in!

I started reading your books when one of your quilt books (Wedding Ring if I remember right) caught my eye when I was shelving books at the small branch library I staff. I read it and loved it and have kept up with that series. At some point I went in search of others you have written which led me to the ministry is murder books. I’ve also enjoyed the first 2 Happiness Key books (reminds me I need to get back to that series!).

Emilie, Where do I start..I picked up a book in our library at the old Alpine Haus. The name was the Wedding Ring by an author I had never heard of. As I read I found I could almost see where this took place and the people in the story just seemed real enough to touch. To make this short I was hooked on Emilie Richards and still am that by the way was5 years ago. Thanks Emilie, for bringing myself and others such wonderful stories.

I love the Happiness Key series. I felt as though I was there and friends with Tracy, Janya, Wanda and Alice. I hated to see the series come to an end. You bring your characters alive with a real sense of todays issues and feelings. I look forward to reading other series, and stand alones of yours.
Thank you for the give~away. And huge congrats on 70 books! WOW!

I started reading your books with the Shenandoah album series, and loved it. Then I moved to Happiness Key and really enjoyed the ups and downs of those women. Can’t wait for the next one in either series!

As a quilter and reader who lives in Virginia, your Shenandoah Album series were such a treat to read. I love them, and plan to re-read them all at some point. When I ran out os quilt fiction, I wanted more. As a cozy mystery lover, your Ministry is Murder books were right up my alley, and I love how you snuck a quilt or two into each book. I also used to live in Floriday, so I enjoyed Happiness Key, and plan to read the others that go with it.

I picked up your first Happiness Key novel as a summer read and became hooked! I finished the series and loved reading about the women who felt like old friends. I read your books because I feel as though I am a part of them, the people are my friends and what happens in there lives intrigues and inspires me!

I love to read your books because the characters become my friends a extension of family . They all seem so real to me . You want to reach for the phone and check on them .I loved the ladies in The Happiness Key Novel . Now I am rereading Whiskey Island I cant wait to start The Parting Glass. When you are satisfied reading and rereading the same Author for weeks on end. That is a wonderful thing.

Started reading you with the Ministry is Murder series, which I loved. I knew all those people! Then headed on to the Happiness Key series. I was so sad when each book eneded because I wanted them to keep going. It’s so hard to wait for the next book in a series. And the agony of waiting for Treasure Beach to finish being posted, because I HAD to read the whole thing at one sitting! Please don’t ever stop writing!!

My favorite book of Emilie’s is Whiskey Island. It was the character development of the Donaghues along with the history of Whiskey Island and their saloon …. intertwined with the murder mystery that made the book hard to put down and so wanted it to continue on and on ..never-ending.

I love the “Ministry is Murder” series. Being a Christian, the titles caught my eye at first. Then, after reading just one, I was totally hooked! I’ve shared them and they have been loved by others too.

I am like the above comments. I had just gotten into quilting when I came upon The Wedding Ring – read it and have been reading every book that has your name on it.
I am hoping that you do more in the Shenandoah series. I absolutely loved Happiness Key series and was very sad to see it end. I have just started reading the ministry series also. When I pick up one of your books, I never put it down until it is done. I know, along wait when there aren’t anymore to read. Can’t wait for the new one.

Such great books, I love how the characters draw you into their lives, you follow their hopes and dreams and trials until you think of them as your friends. I learn about different places and lifestyles. This is why I enjoy reading books.

I started reading your books several years ago. A few on quilting and then the Shenandoah Album Series and moved on to Happiness Key. Just loved the women in the story, so believable. Always looking forward to what is new on Happiness Key.

I read my first book of yours—Whiskey Island just a couple of months ago and am now hooked. After I finished WI I made the coment to you that you are such a sensual writer—-and can really relate to readers through your characters in such an understanding way!!! ThANK you Emilie!!! Of course I have enjoyed our communication back an forth since I am from near Cleveland. Good luck in NY and continued friendship—I feel as though we are already friends!!!!

Your books bring me joy. Several years ago,I found one of your books sitting all alone on a department store shelf. The quilt caught my eye. I bought the book, read it, and went directly to Borders to buy more! 🙂 I now read them on my kindle. I’m in the process of going through the list and reading the ones I’ve missed. I did enjoy the Happiness Key books..they were a lot of fun. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I look forward to reading your next 70!

I’ve read all of your quilt books, all of the Ministry is Murder mysteries and all of the Happiness Key books. My family’s from Harrisonburg and my wedding was at the VA Quilt Museum, so I feel a connection to your Toms Brook setting. I’m really looking forward to One Mountain Away. Reading more of your books would be a perfect way to spend time relaxing this summer. Congratulations on reaching the 70 book mark! I look forward to reading many, many more!

First have a great time in Western NY. I know you love it there! I read your books because in some way or another, I can relate to the characters. I absolutely loved the Happiness Key trilogy and was sad when I finished the last book. Just getting around to reading again and “Once More with Feeling” is on my list. I’m pretty sure I’ve read it before and will find out soon enough! Happy travels.

Dear Emily, I love reading your books!!! The covers with the quilts on them just pull me to them to read!!!! I would love to win some of your books. Thank you so much for the chance to win!!! Blessings to you!!!!

I began keeping book lists, by author, in 1996 as I was having trouble keeping track of what I had read. I had had foot surgery and my husband was getting frustrated trying to bring something new to read. The first book of yours that I have listed was “Prospect Street,” in 2003. I also rate my books and you are one of the few authors who rate all excellent. I recently finished “The Trouble with Joe” and Once More with Feeling.” These early works were as enjoyable as the others. I love “Happiness Keys” in particular because I live in Florida.

I love the Aggie books, I’m a big mystery fan. And the quilting ones and I’m a sucker for a good book. And I won in your contest last year and was wearing the watch with palm trees on the band and a young lady in Hobby Lobby wanted to know where I got it. Her and her mom both got a laugh about me winning it.

How cool is this! I started reading your books from Pat Sloan’s Book Club in 2006. The first book i read was “Endless Chain””. That led to “Whiskey Island”, mainly because I live near the real Whiskey Island! That led to “The Parting Glass”, then the “Ministry is Murder” series. Loved Aggie! I have “Happiness Key”, but haven’t read it yet. I love your writing style, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of these books I’ve read!

I first became aware of you when your series title, “Ministry is Murder,” caught my eye because my husband is a preacher and I was newly married. I absolutely love your writing style and down-home, fascinating characters. I look forward to reading your other books in the future. Thanks for the opportunity to win your books!
~Sherri

I love your books because you completely develop your characters and the stories. I don’t want them to end. I’ve read all your recent books. It would be fun to read some earlier ones! Good luck with your move!

I first feel in love with Sister’s Choice because of the relationships that were developed, not solely the love-interests but that of the sisters, the friends, and the parents and the children. This ability to develop multi-demisional relationships, complex problems that have not developed overnight and are not solved with a pretty bow continue to intergue my in all of your books that I have read.

I read your books because it is something I can share with my friend. You see, she is from Virginia, and I love quilting (two seemingly unrelated but interesting things). Your Shenandoah Valley Album novels appeal to each of us in different ways, so when we get together after reading them we can each bring something unique to the discussion.

I love to read your books because they are real, entertaining and relaxing. I am a quilter and started reading the Shenandoah Album series first. Moved on to Whiskey Island and being Irish, I just loved these books. I have read the Happiness Key series and I am making the Pat Sloan quilt as a tribute to both of you. Congratulations on 70 books,I look forward to many more enjoyable hours of reading and making new friends!

I first began my love of all books by Emilie Richards in 2007 when I ran across a copy of Wedding Ring! I
continued on reading your entire Shenandoah series and enjoyed every heartwarming story. Not only were the
stories filled with interesting characters that I could relate to and imagine in real life, but I also learned
so much about the Shenandoah Valley through your clever
way of weaving local history into the plot! I have read
your Happiness Key series since then and enjoyed reading
about that lovely group of friends and their lives! I’ve
also enjoyed countless others, including Whiskey Island,
The Parting Glass, and the list goes on and on! Thank
you for your dedication to wonderfully inspiring stories
with substance! Best wishes with your move! Please
never stop writing!!

As I was looking at the paperbacks in the grocery store many years ago, I picked up Iron Lace and saw it had a second book in the series, so bought both. Since then I believe I’ve read all, and especially enjoyed the first two as well as the Shenandoah Album as quilting is a passion of mine. Your book always have good plots and characters. They have substance which is missing in many of today’s books.

I want to read you books because I would love to hear more about what is going on with those folks in Shenandoah Valley. I would love another mystery with Aggie Sloan-Wilcox. I would love to hear the latest from Tracy, Wanda, Janya, and Alice. But it sounds like you will not be writing any more about those characters. I trust that you will create more characters that I love. Best wishes with your move.

I still think of the history in Touching Stars, and though I have read at least 15 more of your books, that theme still captures my imagination–wow, if only it were so! There is always a catch or tickle in your novels, no matter what the theme, that makes me smile at the end of the book and wish there were 30 more pages to enjoy each time. Though we met under unusual circumstances –in Chautauqua when Amy Tan spoke, I will never forget the serendipitous moment when you chose to sit next to me, though there were 5000 attendees in the amphitheater, and we talked about knitting. The rest of the story belongs to us, but the retelling of it has delighted many of our friends, and made Emily Richards readers out of them. xxxiris november

I have read all the Happiness Key books but just one of the
Ministry is Murder books. I think I’ll head over to Amazon now and see if I can find more of them to order. Best part of your books is the characters and the flow of the stories.
Good luck with your move.

I’ve got a couple of your books on my to be read list for a while now, I even bought some of them, they sound like the sort of book I would enjoy. I haven’t actually read any of them yet, no time like the present to start reading them.

After reviewing your book list I found quite a few that I would place on my to read list – “Beautiful Lies” and “Whiskey Island” to name a few. The story lines are intriguing and your books seem to offer a variety of themes.

Viv Ilo writing for Carolyn here. Is there a way to subscribe to your blog via email? If so, can you please subscribe Carolyn at the email here? FYI, the Subscribe link on this page is not working in Chrome. It throws an error and shows all your HTML. It works on Firefox but only to subscribe to a reader which Mom does not use. She is greatly looking forward to your next book, as am I.

I always find time to read your books. My favorite is Whiskey Island. Probably because I live near that Lake Erie Island. I also enjoy your Ministry is Murder mysteries. I’m glad that you have got back your vim and vigor. Now we can look forward to more books to read.

I came to Emilie Richards shortly after my husband’s death. Prospect Street was the book that made its way into my hands. Reading just a little each night, it stretched out over quite a long time. So long that when I finished it, I went into “withdrawal” from visiting the characters each night and yearning to know the ending! I made my way here to her blog after seeing another Emilie Richards book I want to read, and then the thought of 70 books! Mind-boggling… but I’m up for it! I wish to read on…

Well, I love you and all of your books. You are a great writer and your books hold me captive when I am reading. I love the fact that my Mom, at 87, prefers your books over all others and will reread them like they are new each time ( one of the benefits of aging!!) Give my love to Mike.

I am a Virginian through and through (though born in South Dakota). I lived near DC Prospect Street, horse country Fox River, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Shenandoah series, and also in Australia Beautiful Lies. Have loved all your books because the setting is so relateable and the stories are so well-written. I look forward to each new one with anticipation. Thank you for writing them all.

My favorite books are the quilting series, but I found all 3 Happiness Key books to be a fun read. Emilie has a way of bringing to life all of the characters in her novels, and you don’t want to stop “finding out what happens next”!!!

I first read Prospect Street at the recommendation of a counselor! I thoroughly enjoy your writing and connect with the characters. Whiskey Island and Iron Lace were wonderful and I wished both series could go on and on. I would love to read more of your work!

After finishing the Shenandoah series and whiskey Series, I am about to finish the Happiness series. I can’t think of an author whom I enjoy more. Next up “Ministry in Murder”. thank you for such enjoyable books!

I LOVED the Happiness Key Series. And I would love to hear more about them. But I really enjoy everything that I have read of yours. I keep a list in my wallet of all of your books and make off the ones that I have. sometimes I can get lucky and pick up copies at Library Sales and other places. When you have a new book coming out, I add it to the weekly shopping list so that I remember to look for it.
BTW we just moved to southern Maryland and used to live in southeast Virginia. Never been to New York – City or State for that matter. Enjoy the summer. Any ideas where you might land? Thought the note about your former house being hit by the tree – sounds like good timing. No longer your place and your concern.

Thank you, Jane. I think eventually we’ll settle in Florida. It’s our “home” state, if vagabonds have homes. But we’ll spend lots of time in Virginia and North Carolina and Ohio on the way up and down with our kids. So I think we’ll have the best of all worlds doing it that way. Plus the kids think a FL winter trip is a good idea, which will be great for them AND us.

My thanks to everyone who has commented. When I came up with the giveaway I didn’t realize what a lovely ego boost I would get. I was just making sure people knew what they were commenting on. But this has been a joy.

Emilie I love reading your books because they are Christian based and I know they would never contain bad words. I especially loved your Shenandoah series because it was about quilting. I can’t wait to read “One Mountain Away”!

I love you books and like Happiness Key and the two following books, I usually can’t put them down until I’ve finished them. Afterward I’m just a tiny bit sad it’s over. I read every night and your books keep me up later than any person should be allowed. LOL Keep em coming.

I first read your Shenandoah series as part of a book club through a local quilt store, but now have read almost all of your books, Emilie. The Ministry is Murder series is my all time favorite, but you continue to draw me to the characters of all of your books as new friends I look forward to meeting again.

I have a bookshelf right next to my computer. I am looking at the spines of at least 20 of your books. I have loved each and every one of them, and cannot wait to read One Mountain Away! I love reading series where I can keep up the characters and find out their on-going stories. I started reading your books after we met at the quilt show in Ky. I purchased one for me and one for a friend who could not attend. We both treasure them!

I read my first Emilie Richards novel when urged to do so by a quilting friend. I was hooked! I read all of the quilting series, waiting anxiously for each new one to be published. When I ran out of those, I read Prospect Street and all the New Orleans books, then Ministry is Murder (once again waiting impatiently for each new one), and Happiness Key. I also have the quilt instruction books, and have had fun with the patterns. I treasure all the friends I have “met” in your books! This discussion is prompting me to go back and re-read my favorites. Thank you for giving all of these wonderful characters to all of us!

I began reading Emilie when I began quilting and someone recommended the Shenandoah series. I was instantly hooked! I searched for anything and everything “Emilie.” I have a much loved copy of Prospect Street that was much loved before I acquired it! I also love how the character’s stories in the series intertwine. It is just like we are neighbors. Thank you, Emilie, for this chance!

I would love to read your books. They sound like going on an adventure and you get to know the characters. I have never read any of your books before and would love a chance to win to go on a new adventure. I love reading books that you feel like you are part of the characters families. Thanks for giving me a chance to enter.

I read your books because I love the complexity of family relationships in your stories, and I’ve really enjoyed the two I’ve read so far, “Whiskey Island” and “The Parting Glass”. You have a way of intermingling past mysteries and present dynamics with smooth and witty manner. I look forward to reading more from you soon!

I love how you weave your stories between the present and the past leaving me frantically devouring each page to find out what happens to the charachters. My all time favourite books are Rising Tides and Iron Lace. They transported me to a part of the United States that I did not know much about but I felt like I was living there!
Continued sucess in your new novel and your move!

I read your books because I enjoy the way that your characters interact. My favorites are the Happiness Key series. I also loved the recipes that you included. Please write more with a Florida setting!

I look forward to reading more of your works, I recently read the Happiness Key trilogy and finished my quilt! I am so glad I have been introduced to your books via Pat Sloan, friendship is a grand thing…

I am a longtime fan of your books…the first series that I discovered was the Shenadoah Album group. I loved everyone of them! I have also thoroughly enjoyed your Happiness Key series. Would LOVE to be a winner of your giveaway, Emilie!

I have only recently found :lovers Knot” at our Library here in Parksville, BC, Canada, and I cannot tell you how excited I am to read MORE!! Thank You for all you do for so many of us readers. Barb Barrett

Kai, Aggie’s not retired, but she is definitely on vacation. I do hope to wake her up and bring her back, and have an idea for the next book. Stay tuned through my mailing list for future announcements.

Emily,
I started reading your books about twelve years ago. I can’t wait until a new one comes out and cannot put it down when I read it. Your books are so realistic that I can believe they truly happened. I laugh, I cry, I enjoy every minute I spend reading your books.

Emily – I have always read & followed your books. Facebook really gives you a I site as to the personal side of you & your writing!
My book should arrive today! Headed to beach next week can’t wait to read !

You are a gifted, inspirational storyteller. I’ve read all the Shenandoah Series, Whiskey Island, Parting Glass, etc. Now reading Goddesses Anonymous series. Collect them, must wait till the paper backs come out, can’t afford the Hard copy.
We so enjoyed talking with your last year’s BookClub when we did “Lovers Knot” Thank You